Water that stays put? Give it a pipe to follow.
A French drain collects groundwater in a gravel-filled trench with a perforated pipe and carries it to a safe outlet, drying soggy yards and protecting foundations.
- Typical timeline: One to three days
- Pipe: Perforated pipe in washed gravel
- Outlet: Daylight, pop-up emitter or storm drain where allowed
What it is, and why it matters.
Soil does not always drain on its own. Heavy clay, a sloping lot or a downspout that dumps beside the house can leave water sitting against a foundation or turning a yard into a swamp. A French drain gives that water a path: a trench lined with fabric, a perforated pipe at the bottom and clean gravel around it.
We walk the property after a rain if we can, find where the water comes from and where it should go, then design the drain's route and outlet. In Nashville, where clay soils are common, the drain must fall continuously and exit in a place that does not create a new problem for a neighbor. We install it with fabric, rock and cleanouts so it stays clear for years.
Four things done right.
Designed for your slope
The route follows how water moves on your property.
Fabric and rock
Filter fabric keeps the soil out of the gravel.
Safe outlet
Water goes somewhere that does not make a new problem.
Serviceable
Cleanouts let the drain be flushed in the future.
From first call to french drain installation.
- 01
Study the water
Find where it comes from and where it collects.
- 02
Plan the route
Choose the drain path, depth and outlet.
- 03
Dig and install
Lay fabric, pipe and gravel with a steady fall.
- 04
Finish and test
Restore the surface and run water through.
French Drain Installation across Tennessee.
We do this work in 58 cities, from Nashville and Franklin to Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Johnson City.
French Drain Installation: common questions
How deep does a French drain need to be?
It depends on the problem. Surface water drains may be a foot deep, while foundation drains sit near footing level. We explain the depth needed for your situation.
Will a French drain fix a wet basement?
It can when the water comes from the soil around the house. Wet basements can also come from gutters, grading or sewer problems, so we find the source before recommending a drain.
How do I get a price for french drain installation?
Fill in the form or call or text 615-209-7643. We confirm what is involved and send a written price, and most properties get a free estimate visit.
Ready to talk about french drain installation?
A short visit, a camera when it helps and a written price. A real person calls back, usually the same day.